| List of political deaths in police custody (non-security) 1984 – 1989 : | ||||
This is a list of deaths in politically related circumstances while the victim was in the custody of police, not prison authorities. They are deaths which occurred on arrest, during transport to a police station, during interrogation or while being held awaiting trial in a police lock up. |
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| Year/Date | Name | Affiliation | Place of death | Description |
1984 |
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15 July |
Ngalo, Johannes (26) |
|
Parys |
Found dead in cell due to serious internal injuries. |
29 September |
Moleleke, Jacob (16) |
|
Sebokeng |
Shot in head by policeman during altercation between police and other arrested youths in police van. |
5/7 |
Masunyane, Anthony |
|
Katlehong |
Police informed victim's family of death in custody after stayaway. |
11/19 |
Maseko, Samson (19) |
|
Katlehong |
Found at mortuary with terrible marks & bruises after reported arrest. |
22 November |
Ngwenya, Abel (31) |
|
Daveyton |
Police reported epileptic fit as cause of death while pathologist indicated violence involved in death and family denied any history of epilepsy. |
Late 84/early |
Korotsoane, Tatlheho (28) |
|
Vereeniging |
Reported to have been in security detention, but police denied this. |
1985 |
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29 March |
Mvulane, Bheki (18) |
|
Katlehong |
Brain injuries from alleged police violence while awaiting trial. |
5 May |
Mutsi, Sipho (20) |
COSAS |
Odendaalsrus |
Died during interrogation; post-mortem revealed head injuries and severe sjambok weals. |
6 May |
Raditsela, Andries (29) |
COSATU, |
Tsakane |
Died of head injuries after being violently confronted by police while producing documents to counter car theft accusations. |
3 July |
Muggels, Mzwandile (20) |
Karoo Youth |
Steytlerville |
Died from gunshot wounds during arrest at memorial service. |
5 July |
Spogter, Johannes (13) |
Nephew of |
Steytlerville |
Found dead (attributed to head injuries) during routine cell visit. |
16 August |
Mokoena, Sonnyboy (24) |
|
Pilgrim's Rest |
Allegedly found hanged in cell. |
16 August |
George, Thembalake (15) |
KWT Youth |
King William's |
Mother found victim unresponsive at hospital with badly swollen face after arrested at a student gathering. |
18/19 August |
Ndzandze, Loyiso (20) |
KWT Youth |
King William's |
Circumstances same as George above, except died a few days later. |
21 September |
Mbotya, Mbuyiselo (35) |
KWT Youth |
King William's |
Died from head injuries. |
24 September |
Ndondo, Batandwa (22) |
SRC- |
Cala, Transkei |
Allegedly shot several times by police on the outskirts of Cala. |
18 October |
Ramalepe, Ngwako |
President SRC |
Kgapane, |
Assaulted by police at station and later dumped along a road. |
17 November |
Mogale, Meshack (16) |
Student |
Mamelodi |
Sister, arrested with him at a night vigil for unrest victim, alleged he was kicked and sjambokked by police. |
1986
|
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1 April |
Poshoko, Joel (29) |
CCAWUSA |
Pretoria |
Allegedly assaulted by police during interrogation |
5 April |
Kutumela, Lucky (25) |
Journalist! |
Mahwelereng, |
Found dead in police cell with more than 40 sjambok weals. |
11 April |
Nchabeleng, Peter (59) |
President of |
Schoonoord, |
Allegedly tortured by police. |
12 April |
Ngomane, Eric (22) |
Student |
KaNgwane |
Police claim he was shot dead while trying to escape. |
19 April |
Mashego, Johannes (26) |
|
Parys |
Police state he collapsed during interrogation; relatives reported extensive bruising and swollen face upon identifying the victim's body. |
26 July |
Stuurman, Mlungise (18) |
|
Cradock |
Interrogated and then killed by 2 'unrest unit' members who were later sentenced to death for his murder. |
11 December |
Mapumolo, Matthews |
ANC |
Swaziland |
Accosted and shot at home by a group of armed men; abducted to South Africa while wounded, then died. |
13 December |
Mogotsi, Joseph |
Teacher |
Pretoria |
Assaulted after police forced car off the road. |
15 Decemeber |
Olifant, Benji (25) |
|
Klerksdorp |
Allegedly shot while attempting to escape |
1987
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16 February |
Unknown youth (17) |
Soweto |
|
Allegedly jumped from Casspir in an attempt to escape from custody. |
9 July |
Cele, Edwin (22) |
Lamontville |
Durban |
Shot by police while allegedly trying to pull the pin from a hand grenade. |
9 July |
Kriel, Ashley (20) |
Bonteheuwel |
Athlone |
Police reported victim killed during arrest scuffle while post-mortem indicated victim shot in the back at 'point-blank' range. |
24 July |
Mntonga, Eric |
IDASA/SAAWU |
Mdantsane |
Killed by 6 Ciskei security officers at police cells. |
23 August |
Nyoka, Caiphus |
Student leader |
Daveyton |
Shot dead by police, execution-style, while raiding his father's home. |
4 November |
Marume, Ndiko |
|
Sasolburg |
Died inside a police van while being transported to Sasolburg police station. |
1988 |
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20 March |
Kobe, Andile (22) |
George |
Sandkraal |
Beaten for at least 30 minutes by police in front of eyewitnesses. |
1 December |
Khoza, Amos (18) |
|
Johannesburg |
Fell seven stories from a flat where he was allegedly escorting police to identify the place where he had made contact with an ANC member. |
1989
|
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23 January |
Dakuse, Patrick (36) |
|
Khayelitsha |
Shot dead by police after allegedly tried to prime a hand grenade from an arms cache that he had taken the police to see. |
21 April |
Mbetheni, Dinana (21) |
|
Alice |
Found in cell hanging from an electric wire tied to a bar. |
22 December |
Ruiters, Kevin (22) |
|
Bellville South |
Mother found that his face had been 'badly bashed' |
Source: |
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